Honey and Lemon Toddy
To celebrate Bee Aware Month and the glut of lemons on our trees, here is a Hot Toddy recipe with a twist (whiskey is optional!)
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 Cinnamon Stick
1 Cardamon pod
Juice of 1 Lemon
A (sneaky) nip of Whiskey
Put honey (and whiskey, if using) in a mug, along with the cinnamon stick and Cardamon pod.
Add lemon juice.
Pour in hot (notboiling water) and pop in the sprigs of thyme for a couple of minutes.
ENJOY!
6 types of Honey from New Zealand
Honey, Honey everywhere and so many different types! Here are the in’s and out’s of the different varieties including tastes, textures and where it’s most commonly found in New Zealand.
Kamahi Honey
Elle’s favourite! An intense flavour sensation with quite a strong complex flavour and perfect for recipes that require an identifiable honey taste, but pale and beautifully buttery golden in colour. It’s a fabulous honey to go with camembert and washed rind cheeses.
Produced and harvested from both the North and South Island, but mostly from the West Coast of the South Island from Kamahi Trees sitting 25 metres high in the canopies of our beautiful forests.
You will find Kamahi honey mostly creamed due to its above average tendency to crystallise.
Manuka Honey
This world renowned honey from New Zealand has a long history and is of significant value for both Maori and early European settlers for medicinal purposes.
Manuka honey is dark and amber in colour, a strongly flavoured honey with woody and nutty characteristics and intense toffee and caramel notes and can often even have a ‘jellied’ like texture.
Manuka Honey is well sought after in particular for it’s antibacterial activity and to help maintain inner balance and digestive health.
Beechwood Honeydew
Beechwood Honeydew is one of New Zealand’s premium export honeys.
A naturally dark amber honey and liquid in form, resembling golden syrup which does not normally crystallise due to the reduced levels of glucose.
Beechwood Honeydew contains high levels of antioxidants, which are helpful in maintaining and promoting beneficial gut bacteria (proboitic bacteria).
Honeydew is harvested from deep within the remote forests of New Zealand. Beechwood Honeydew Honey goes particularly well with smelly blue cheeses and with pip fruit like pears and apples.
Clover
New Zealand’s most common honey.
Through New Zealand’s historically pastoral economy and importance of sheep farming, clover (and rye) have dominated pastures throughout the countryside.
Clover honey has a delicate, mild sweet flavour and pale cream in colour. Traditionally, South Island clover honey is lighter that of the North Islands. It is loved for it’s subtle flavour and New Zealand’s pristine countryside produces some of the world’s best clover honey.
Wildflower
Wildflower Honey gathered by our precious bees from around New Zealand’s countrysides and forests, the honey is uniquely flavoured honey with a bouquet of native flowers. A light, fruity flavour, packed full of goodness.
Lavender
A distinctively flowery aroma with a delicate lavender scent, gathered from Lavender farms around NZ. A smooth and rich perfumed flavour and perfect to sweeten your cup of tea.
You can try selection of these gorgeous honey’s on our Big Foody Food Tours. Which will be your favourite?
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Celebrating Honey and Bee Aware Month
September is Bee Aware Month and we have been celebrating bee's, their caretakers - the invaluable, caring beekeepers and of course HONEY!
What better country to visit, to taste and discover the multiple variations of honey, but New Zealand of course- read our most popular blog on our website '6 Types of Honey from New Zealand' from our infamous Manuka to Kamahi and our Wildflower honey's and their distinctive tastes.
Bee Aware Month is an initiative by Apiculture NZ and is a full month dedicated to promotional work dedicated to "Bee Health" and educating the public on how they themselves can help protect NZ's healthy bee population. Although New Zealand's bee population is generally fairly healthy we do have more threats to be aware of than ever before including bio-security, disease, bugs and pesticide. Bees of course are needed for pollination so that we can consume the delicious fruits and food that we so love including Avocado's, Strawberries, Kiwifruit, Apples, Nuts, Coffee and even Chocolate!
And there are 3 easy ways that YOU can help!
BEE FOOD - plant bee friendly gardens. Visit your local garden centre and ask them to suggest some plants for you
HYDRATION - Bee's need to drink water too in order to survive! Provide fresh, clean water for the bees. And put pebbles and / or twigs in the water so that they have somewhere to rest while they drink (and don't drown).
SAFE SPRAYING - don't spray your garden with harmful pesticides. Do you actually need to spray? But if you do, don't spray when the plants are in flower or bees are present. Best time of the day to spray is at sunrise or dusk when the bees are in their hives and the flowers are still closed and sleeping.
So go on, try out some of the recipes on the blog, go plant some bee friendly plants in the garden, join us on a tour sampling this precious liquid gold and celebrate our bees!
Our Foody Inspiration - Earthbound Honey
In keeping with Bee Aware Month, our Foody Inspiration this month are sustainable artisan beekeepers - Earthbound Honey!
If you have been on one of our tours, you will know how much we love their honey and how good their honey is and if you haven't, we think it’s about time you did! Not only will you discover local Foody heros like Earthbound Honey but taste an almighty selection of delicious food whilst learning about our history, our people and our places.
Earthbound Honey is locally located in the Bethells Valley in north west Auckland on their 11 acre property with Pohutukawa groves, dense Manuka forests and wildflower pastures. Owners Terry and Karlene Toomey established Earthbound Honey in 2006 when Terry left his city-based job to become a beekeeper. Karlene soon followed reducing her hours as a landscape gardener and both now work on the farm together.
Their bees produce a range of honey from their Pohutukawa, Manuka and wildflower pastures.
If you are lucky enough to visit them at their base on one of our Our People, Our Places, Our Producers tours or at one of the local Farmer's Markets, you will see that it's not just honey that makes them one of our favourite Foody Inspirations, but it’s what they create with the honey and the wax from their bees. They also produce a wide range of skincare, honey vinegar, beeswax wraps and candles.
Fascinated? Join us on one of our Big Foody food tours and you too could be sampling this liquid gold!
Perfil Journal, Argentina - The Big Foody Food Tours feauture!
We were fortunate to be able to host Mónica Martin the Travel Editor from Perfil Journal on one of our Big Foody Food Tours and get The Big Foody Food Tours mentioned in her article.
NZ featured in the World Ultimate Eats by Lonely Planet
In exciting news I was delighted to read the World Ultimate Eats list released from Lonely Planet this year. Slowly but surely the world is discovering New Zealand as a food tourism destination and we're delighted to be leading this charge.
I am on the executive of EAT New Zealand which is a collective of chef, food writers, tour operators and event planners who as an organisation are dedicated to the promotion of New Zealand cuisine, so this result is awesome to see.
Nin's Bin in Kaikoura where you can buy fresh crayfish.
Sampling the "City of Sails Smorgasbord"
We love showing off our city and it's hidden treasures.
A couple of weeks ago, we were honoured to host a group from the Otago Daily Times.
Check out the fantastic article that they wrote up about visiting Auckland and sampling the "City of Sails Smorgasbord"
Homemade Limoncello
INGREDIENTS
5 lemons - washed (you can also subsittute limes if you wish)
1 ½ cups castor sugar
350ml vodka (don’t buy the cheapest, you will notice the difference)
375ml water
INSTRUCTIONS
Peel the lemons and place the peel and the peeled lemon (cut into cubes) into a large bowl.
Add the castor sugar and water into a pot and place over an element until the sugar has dissolved. Let the sugar syrup cool.
Add the cooled sugar syrup to the lemons and lemon peel.
Add the vodka and stir gently.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to allow to infuse for at least 48 hours.
Strain the liquid through a sieve discarding the peel and the lemons.
Using a funnel, pour the liquid into bottles and store in the fridge.
Serve well chilled over ice.
Top 7 things to do on a chilly Auckland Winter's Day
It's that time of the year, it's rainy and it's cold and you would rather stay at home (and feel miserable) ... and we don't blame you. But we at the Big Foody Food Tours have come up with our favourite 7 ways to cheer you up on a chilly Auckland Winter's Day and bring a smile back to your face.
Book yourself a night away at the Vineyard Cottages nestled between the vines in North West Auckland. You will be able to set yourself up in front of your own private fireplace, home-baked cookies and warm welcome drink on arrival. They've even got some Winter Escapes up on their website at the moment including super indulgent pampering sessions at Spa Di Vine and Trust the Chef dining options at the Hunting Lodge. With the north west region having so much to offer, the Vineyard Cottages is the perfect accommodation choice.
While you're in the beautiful North West region and enjoying a night away at The Vineyard Cottages, check out the award winning Tasting Shed. Not far from the Vineyard Cottages at all and we can arrange transportation if needed. A dinner at the Tasting Shed is an absolute delight! Delicious ‘sharing’ plates that may take you outside your comfort zone, with different combinations and varieties, but always amazing! Always fresh and seasonal produce, amazing service and a great international wine list. Definitely one to add to your dining Bucket List.
Make a complete weekend of it with an indulgent His and Hers massage at Spa Di Vine before returning to your Vineyard Cottages luxury accommodation. Spa Di Vine has been running since 2002 and offers a wide variety of beauty and spa treatments. Check out Vineyard Cottages special as part of the Winter Escape’s Ultimate Spa and Gastronomy Stay . Get your pampering in and then head to the Vineyard Cottages and relax with in front of your private fireplace - the perfect winter getaway in this chilly weather and sure to put a spring back into your step.
Citrus, Citrus, Citrus!! There is a reason that citrus is in season at this time of the year. We think that the brights of oranges, lemons and limes definitely brighten up our days, who can’t resist bright colours and tastes of something summery. There is nothing better than fresh mandarins, lemons or grapefruit straight off a tree, whether it’s your own, your neighbours or even pick-your own - google it they do exist! But at this time of the year, they also do us good with those boosts of Vitamin C. Check out our recipe for our favourite Lemon and Honey toddy and more citrus recipes on the blog.
Go for a drive through North West Auckland. It is the perfect destination for a weekend drive, with so many different options. Whether your looking to get back to nature, looking to dine in some fantastic restaurants or something more adventurous. Our favourites include Muriwai and the Gannet Colony and lunch at the Tasting Shed (Fri - Sun) or Halleratau. The options are endless with horse riding on Muriwai Beach, 4WD or Mountain biking in Woodhill Forest, Skydiving, Tree Adventures… the list goes on. And if you’ve exhausted yourself and want to spend the night, don’t forget us at the Vineyard Cottages.
Make yourself some winter comfort-food. We know this probably won’t get you out of the house, but your warm, satisfied belly will definitely make you feel happy and content. We have included some of The Big Food’s favourite recipes below (and on the blog). Roast lamb, soups, crockpot recipes and warm satisfying desserts!!
Join us on a Big Foody Food Tour! With winter here we’ve got hot coffees to enjoy and taste, satisfying bakery items and lots of other warming goodies. Our guests may be bundled up with jackets and beanies but there is still heaps to taste and sample and learn about Auckland. Our tours are vibrant and exciting and you will learn all about Auckland, the city surrounded by water, volcanoes, vineyards and beaches. As the gateway to the rest of the country Auckland is the first port of call for many visitors coming to New Zealand and our tours are designed to give you the very best introduction to our gorgeous city and country. See you soon.
Butterflied Lamb Roast with Rosemary, Garlic and Red Onion
This is a great recipe for this time of the year, it is super easy and a hearty winter meal with lots of garlic to boost your immunity! Butterflied Lamb is an easy alternative and doesn't take too long in the oven as opposed to anything on the bone.
It is fancy enough to serve up at a dinner party but easy enough for a weekly dinner also (it was last nights dinner in our family - a Tuesday night!)
INGREDIENTS
Butterflied Lamb
Several twigs of Rosemary
1 x Red Onion chopped finely
3 x cloves of garlic chopped finely
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to season
Cooking twine
INSTRUCTIONS
Lay down the butterflied lamb as flat as you can and sprinkle over the chopped red onion, chopped garlic and rosemary.
Roll the butterflied lamb together as tightly as possible and use the cooking twine to hold it together.
Season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Place into the oven at 170 degrees for 1 and a half hours.
Serve with fresh seasonal vegetables (like broccoli) and roasted veggies of potatoes, pumpkin and kumara or sliced on top of herby steamed couscous tossed with orange zest, olives, parsley, coriander and lots of lemon juice and olive oil.
If there is any left over, we love shepherds pie or a hearty Middle Eastern soup made with tomatoes, paprika, cumin, chilli and beans - we'll add the recipe.
